Q.Integrate the following function: tan32xsec2x
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — U Substitution
U Substitution: The Reverse Chain Rule
The chain rule differentiates composite functions: the derivative of sin(x2) is cos(x2)⋅2x — differentiate the outer function, then multiply by the derivative of the inside. Integration asks the reverse: given cos(x2)⋅2x, find the original function. That's what u substitution does — it reverses the chain rule.
The Core Intuition
When an integral looks like "a function times the derivative of its inside," substitute the inside with u and the derivative of the inside with du. Consider:
∫2xcos(x2)dx
Here 2x is the derivative of x2, and x2 is the inside of cos(x2). Let u=x2, so du=2xdx:
∫cos(u)du=sin(u)+C=sin(x2)+C
Check: the derivative of sin(x2) is cos(x2)⋅2x.
The Precise Statement
∫f(g(x))⋅g′(x)dx=∫f(u)duwhere u=g(x),du=g′(x)dx
Valid provided g is differentiable and the resulting integral in u is simpler.
The Step-by-Step Method
- Identify a function g(x) whose derivative g′(x) also appears (possibly up to a constant factor).
- Set u=g(x), compute du=g′(x)dx.
- Rewrite the entire integral in u and du — every x and dx must be replaced.
- Integrate with respect to u.
- Substitute back u=g(x).
You cannot mix variables. If any x remains after substitution, you chose the wrong u (or must solve for x in terms of u — rare).
A Second Example (with a constant factor)
Evaluate ∫xx2+1dx. Let u=x2+1, so xdx=21du:
∫u⋅21du=21⋅32u3/2+C=31(x2+1)3/2+C
When Does It Work?
When the integrand is something times the derivative of something inside. Common patterns:
- x⋅f(x2) — derivative of x2 is 2x, so u=x2
- eg(x)⋅g′(x) — derivative of g(x) appears
- g(x)g′(x) — leads to log∣g(x)∣ …
Concept: Sine Double Angle Integration — rewrite tan32xsec2x in terms of sin2x and cos2x, then use substitution.
Step 1: Write the integrand in sine and cosine:
tan32xsec2x=cos32xsin32x⋅cos2x1=cos42xsin32x.
Step 2: Let u=cos2x, so du=−2sin2xdx. Then sin32xdx=sin22x⋅sin2xdx=(1−cos22x)sin2xdx=(1−u2)⋅(−2du).
Step 3: The integral becomes:
∫cos42xsin32xdx=∫u41−u2⋅(−2du)=−21∫(u−4−u−2)du.
Step 4: Integrate: …
The key idea is to rewrite tan32xsec2x as tan22x⋅(tan2xsec2x), then use the identity tan22x=sec22x−1 and substitute u=sec2x. The integral evaluates to 61sec32x−21sec2x+C.
When you see a product of powers of tan and sec, your first instinct should be to look for a derivative relationship. The derivative of secx is secxtanx, and the derivative of tanx is sec2x. Here, the presence of sec2x multiplied by tan32x suggests that if we isolate one factor of tan2xsec2x, the rest can be expressed in terms of sec2x alone.
Let’s walk through it.
- Rewrite the integrand to expose the derivative of sec2x. Notice that dxd(sec2x)=2sec2xtan2x. So the factor tan2xsec2x is almost a derivative — we just need to account for the chain rule factor of 2. Write:
tan32xsec2x=tan22x⋅(tan2xsec2x).
- Use the Pythagorean identity for tan2. Recall that tan2θ=sec2θ−1. Here θ=2x, so:
tan22x=sec22x−1.
Substituting gives:
tan32xsec2x=(sec22x−1)⋅(tan2xsec2x).
- Substitute u=sec2x. Then du=2sec2xtan2xdx, so sec2xtan2xdx=2du. The integrand becomes:
(sec22x−1)⋅(tan2xsec2x)dx=(u2−1)⋅2du.
- Integrate with respect to u.
∫(u2−1)⋅2du=21∫(u2−1)du=21(3u3−u)+C.
Simplify:
21⋅3u3−21u+C=6u3−2u+C.
- Substitute back u=sec2x. …
Method: Odd power of tan with a sec factor — substitute u=sec
For integrands of the form tanm(⋅)sec(⋅) with m odd, save one sectan pair for the differential, convert the remaining even power of tan to sec, and substitute u=sec(⋅).
Steps
Step 1: Split off a sectan factor.
tan3θsecθ=tan2θ⋅(secθtanθ)
The secθtanθ is what pairs with dx.
Step 2: Convert the leftover tan2 to sec2−1.
tan2θ=sec2θ−1
so the integrand is (sec2θ−1)secθtanθ.
Step 3: Substitute u=secθ. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Saving the wrong factor for the differential.
Why it's wrong: with an odd power of tan and a sec present, you must reserve secθtanθ (the derivative of secθ), not sec2θ. Reserving sec2 here fails because only one sec is available. Correct approach: write tan32xsec2x=(sec22x−1)sec2xtan2x and set u=sec2x. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 51 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-FN1 markMCQQ.∫log2log3e2x−1e3x−3exdx= (A) log(32e) (B) log(34e) (C) 32e (D) 34e
›Reveal solutionSolution
A substitution t=ex turns this exponential integral into a rational one; the value works out to log(2e/3).
Concept and Intuition
Whenever an integral is built entirely from powers of ex, substituting t=ex converts it into an algebraic (rational function) integral, which is usually far easier to handle with partial fractions.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let t=ex, so dt=exdx=tdx, i.e. dx=dt/t. When x=log2, t=2; when x=log3, t=3.
- Rewrite the integrand: e2x−1e3x−3ex=t2−1t3−3t. Multiplying by dx=dt/t gives t(t2−1)t3−3tdt=t2−1t2−3dt.
- So the integral becomes ∫23t2−1t2−3dt.
- Split: t2−1t2−3=t2−1(t2−1)−2=1−t2−12. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.If ∫(1+sinθ)(3−cos2θ)sin2θdθ=21tan−1(sinθ)+41log(f(θ))+c then f(2π)−f(0)= (A) 21 (B) −21 (C) 0 (D) −43
›Reveal solutionSolution
Reducing the integral via t=sinθ and partial fractions identifies f(θ)=(1+sinθ)21+sin2θ, giving f(π/2)−f(0)=−1/2.
Concept and Intuition
Double-angle identities collapse sin2θ and 3−cos2θ into expressions purely in sinθ and cosθ; then t=sinθ (since cosθdθ=dt appears naturally) turns the whole thing into a rational-function integral solvable by partial fractions — a very standard pattern for trig integrals with even powers/mixed degree-2 denominators.
Step-by-Step Solution
- sin2θ=2sinθcosθ; cos2θ=1−2sin2θ⇒3−cos2θ=2+2sin2θ=2(1+sin2θ).
- Integrand becomes (1+sinθ)⋅2(1+sin2θ)2sinθcosθ=(1+sinθ)(1+sin2θ)sinθcosθ.
- Substitute t=sinθ, dt=cosθdθ: integral =∫(1+t)(1+t2)tdt.
- Partial fractions: (1+t)(1+t2)t=1+t−1/2+1+t2(1/2)t+1/2 (solve t=A(1+t2)+(Bt+C)(1+t), giving A=−1/2, B=1/2, C=1/2).
- Integrate: −21log(1+t)+41log(1+t2)+21tan−1t+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.If ∫esin3x(sin8x+2sin5x)cosxdx=31esin3xf(x)+c, then f(x)= (A) sin8x (B) sin6x (C) cos8x (D) cos6x
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting t=sinx and testing f(t)=t6 against the target derivative confirms f(x)=sin6x.
Concept and Intuition
When an integral has the form eg(x)⋅(stuff)⋅g′(x), substituting u=g(x) turns it into ∫eu⋅h(u)du for a polynomial h. Matching the answer's assumed shape 31euf and differentiating (product rule, since both eu and f depend on u) lets us solve for f by comparing polynomial coefficients — much safer than guessing an antiderivative by inspection alone.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let t=sinx, so dt=cosxdx. The integral becomes ∫et3(t8+2t5)dt.
- We're told this equals 31et3f(t)+c. Differentiate the RHS w.r.t. t: dtd[31et3f(t)]=31[3t2et3f(t)+et3f′(t)]=et3[t2f(t)+31f′(t)].
- This must equal et3(t8+2t5), so t2f(t)+31f′(t)=t8+2t5. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(x5+1)6/5dx= (A) 5x5+11+c (B) x5x5+1+c (C) 5x5+1x+c (D) 5x5+1+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Recognizing the integrand as the derivative of 5x5+1x (verified by direct differentiation) gives the antiderivative immediately.
Concept and Intuition
For integrals of the form ∫(xn+1)(n+1)/ndx, a useful trick is to guess that the antiderivative looks like (xn+1)1/nx (a ratio designed to make the product-rule differentiation collapse nicely), and then verify by differentiating it — if it reproduces the integrand exactly, we're done. This is often faster than a substitution for this particular family.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Guess the antiderivative g(x)=(x5+1)1/5x=x(x5+1)−1/5.
- Differentiate using the product rule: g′(x)=(x5+1)−1/5+x⋅(−51)(x5+1)−6/5⋅5x4.
- Simplify the second term: x⋅(−51)(5x4)(x5+1)−6/5=−x5(x5+1)−6/5.
- So g′(x)=(x5+1)−1/5−x5(x5+1)−6/5.
- Factor out (x5+1)−6/5: g′(x)=(x5+1)−6/5[(x5+1)−x5]=(x5+1)−6/5×1=(x5+1)−6/5. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.∫cos6x+sin6xsin2xcos2xdx= (A) 21Tan−1(tan2x)+c (B) 31Tan−1(tan2x)+c (C) 31Tan−1(tan3x)+c (D) Tan−1(tan3x)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Dividing through by cos6x to introduce tanx, then a double substitution (t=tanx, then u=t3), reduces the integral to a standard arctangent form, giving 31Tan−1(tan3x)+c.
Concept and Intuition
When an integrand has sin and cos appearing only in even powers that can be grouped, dividing everything by the highest power of cosx converts the whole expression into a rational function purely of tanx — a very common trick that opens the door to the substitution t=tanx. Here, since the denominator naturally forms 1+tan6x, a further substitution u=t3 turns it into the standard ∫1+u2du arctangent integral.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Divide numerator and denominator of cos6x+sin6xsin2xcos2x by cos6x: numerator becomes cos6xsin2xcos2x=cos4xsin2x=tan2xsec2x; denominator becomes 1+tan6x.
- The integral is now ∫1+tan6xtan2xsec2xdx.
- Substitute t=tanx, so dt=sec2xdx. The integral becomes ∫1+t6t2dt.
- Substitute u=t3, so du=3t2dt, i.e. t2dt=3du. The integral becomes 31∫1+u2du. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∫(x+5)x−5dx=152x−5f(x)+c, then f(6)= (A) 5 (B) 20 (C) 100 (D) 53
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting u=x−5 turns the integral into a simple power-rule computation; matching it to the given form and evaluating f at x=6 gives 53.
Concept and Intuition
An integrand with x−a multiplying a linear expression in x is best handled by substituting u=x−a, which converts everything into pure powers of u that integrate directly via the power rule. After integrating, we factor the result to match the given answer template and read off f(x).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=x−5, so x=u+5, and x+5=u+10. Also dx=du.
- The integral becomes ∫(u+10)udu=∫(u3/2+10u1/2)du.
- Integrate term by term: ∫u3/2du=52u5/2, and ∫10u1/2du=10×32u3/2=320u3/2.
- So the integral =52u5/2+320u3/2+c.
- Factor out 152u3/2 (the common factor, chosen to match the given form's 152): 52u5/2=152u3/2(3u) and 320u3/2=152u3/2(50). So the integral =152u3/2(3u+50)+c=152u1/2⋅u(3u+50)+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-AN1 markMCQQ.If ∫sin3x+cos3x1dx=Alog2−t2+t+BTan−1(t)+c, then (AB,t)= (A) (22,sinx+cosx) (B) (92,sinx+cosx) (C) (92,sinx−cosx) (D) (22,sinx−cosx)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factoring the sum of cubes and substituting t=sinx−cosx turns the trigonometric integral into a clean rational-function integral in t, giving B/A=22 with t=sinx−cosx.
Concept and Intuition
sin3x+cos3x factors as a sum of cubes: (sinx+cosx)(1−sinxcosx). Both sinx+cosx and 1−sinxcosx can be written purely in terms of u=sinx−cosx, because (sinx+cosx)2+(sinx−cosx)2=2 and 1−sinxcosx=21+(sinx−cosx)2. Crucially, dxdu=cosx+sinx, which is exactly the factor left over after using the second identity — so the whole integral collapses into a rational function of u alone.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Factor: sin3x+cos3x=(sinx+cosx)(1−sinxcosx).
- Let u=sinx−cosx. Then u2=1−2sinxcosx, so 1−sinxcosx=21+u2.
- Also (sinx+cosx)2=1+2sinxcosx=2−u2, so sinx+cosx=2−u2 (taking the appropriate branch), and dxdu=cosx+sinx=2−u2.
- So sin3x+cos3x=2−u2⋅21+u2, and
I=∫sin3x+cos3xdx=∫2−u2(1+u2)2dx=∫2−u2(1+u2)2⋅2−u2du=∫(2−u2)(1+u2)2du.
- Partial fractions (by symmetry, only even terms survive): (2−u2)(1+u2)2=2−u22/3+1+u22/3. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.∫x2(x4+1)3/4dx= (A) (1+x41)3/4+c (B) (1+x61)1/2+c (C) −(1+x41)−1/4+c (D) −(1+x41)1/4+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Pulling x4 out from under the radical and substituting t=1+x−4 reduces the integral to a simple power rule, giving −(1+1/x4)1/4+c.
Concept and Intuition
When the integrand has (xn+1)p, it often helps to factor out the highest power of x from inside the bracket so that a substitution like t=1+x−n produces a clean differential matching the rest of the integrand.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write (x4+1)3/4=(x4(1+x41))3/4=x3(1+x41)3/4.
- So x2(x4+1)3/41=x2⋅x3(1+x41)3/41=x5(1+x41)3/41=x−5(1+x−4)−3/4.
- Let t=1+x−4. Then dt=−4x−5dx, so x−5dx=−4dt. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.If ∫x5e−4x3dx=481e−4x3f(x)+c, then f(x)= (A) −2x3−1 (B) −4x3−1 (C) −2x2+1 (D) 4x3+1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting u=x3 converts the integral into a simple integration-by-parts problem ∫ue−4udu; matching the result to the given form yields f(x)=−4x3−1.
Concept and Intuition
The presence of x5 alongside e−4x3 is a strong hint to substitute u=x3, since then x2dx (part of du) combines with the remaining x3=u to leave a clean polynomial-times-exponential integral, solvable by the standard integration-by-parts reduction formula for ∫uekudu.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=x3, so du=3x2dx⇒x2dx=3du.
- Rewrite x5e−4x3dx=x3⋅x2e−4x3dx=ue−4u⋅3du.
- So the integral becomes 31∫ue−4udu.
- Integrate by parts with first function u, second e−4u: ∫ue−4udu=u⋅(−4e−4u)−∫(−4e−4u)du=−4ue−4u−161e−4u. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(1+sinx)4cos3xdx= (A) −5(1+sinx)5cos4x+c (B) 5(1+sinx)5cos4x+c (C) 4(1+sinx)4cos4x+c (D) −4(1+sinx)4cos4x+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factor cos3x using cos2x=(1−sinx)(1+sinx) and substitute t=sinx; the resulting antiderivative can equivalently be written in the cos4x/(1+sinx)4 form given in the options (they differ only by an added constant). Answer: −4(1+sinx)4cos4x+c.
Concept and Intuition
Integrals of cosoddx over powers of (1+sinx) are handled by peeling off one factor of cosx to pair with dx (making d(sinx)) and expressing the remaining even power of cosx in terms of sinx. Since the MCQ options are phrased in terms of cos4x rather than sinx directly, it is often faster (and safer against sign traps) to guess-and-check an antiderivative of that shape by differentiating a general form Acos4x(1+sinx)−n and matching powers/coefficients — this is exactly how the printed option is confirmed.
Step-by-Step Solution
- cos3x=cosx⋅cos2x=cosx(1−sin2x)=cosx(1−sinx)(1+sinx).
- Integrand =(1+sinx)4cosx(1−sinx)(1+sinx)=(1+sinx)3cosx(1−sinx).
- Let t=sinx, dt=cosxdx: I=∫(1+t)31−tdt. Writing 1−t=2−(1+t): I=∫((1+t)32−(1+t)21)dt=−(1+t)21+1+t1+c=(1+t)2t+c.
- So I=(1+sinx)2sinx+c is one valid closed form. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.∫10+sin2xcosx−sinxdx= (A) 21log(10+sin2x)+c (B) 31log(10+sin2x)+c (C) 31Tan−1(3sinx+cosx)+c (D) 31Tan−1(10+sin2x)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The numerator cosx−sinx is exactly d(sinx+cosx), and the denominator rewrites in terms of u=sinx+cosx via sin2x=u2−1. That collapses the integral to a standard ∫du/(a2+u2) arctangent form. Answer: 31Tan−1(3sinx+cosx)+c.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever an integrand contains both sinx−cosx (or cosx−sinx) and sin2x, it is worth trying u=sinx+cosx (or sinx−cosx) as the substitution, because u2=1±sin2x links the two.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=sinx+cosx. Then du=(cosx−sinx)dx — this is exactly the numerator times dx.
- Also u2=sin2x+cos2x+2sinxcosx=1+sin2x, so sin2x=u2−1.
- Denominator: 10+sin2x=10+u2−1=9+u2.
- The integral becomes ∫9+u2du=31Tan−1(3u)+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∫sin3x+cos3xdx=Alog2−t2+t+BTan−1(t)+c, then (AB,t)= (A) (32,sinx−cosx) (B) (22,sinx−cosx) (C) (32,sinx−cosx) (D) (23,sinx+cosx)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The standard sin3x+cos3x integral, solved via the substitution t=sinx−cosx; matching to the given Alog∣⋯∣+Btan−1t form gives B/A=22 with t=sinx−cosx.
Concept and Intuition
sin3x+cos3x factors as a sum of cubes, (sinx+cosx)(sin2x−sinxcosx+cos2x)=(sinx+cosx)(1−sinxcosx). Both remaining factors can be expressed in terms of t=sinx−cosx (since t2=1−2sinxcosx links sinxcosx to t, and dt=(sinx+cosx)dx conveniently cancels the other factor).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Factor: sin3x+cos3x=(sinx+cosx)(1−sinxcosx).
- Let t=sinx−cosx⇒dt=(cosx+sinx)dx, and t2=1−2sinxcosx⇒sinxcosx=21−t2.
- So 1−sinxcosx=1−21−t2=21+t2.
- Also (sinx+cosx)2=1+2sinxcosx=1+(1−t2)=2−t2, so sinx+cosx=2−t2.
- Rewrite the integral:
∫(sinx+cosx)(1−sinxcosx)dx=∫2−t2⋅21+t2dx.
Since dx=sinx+cosxdt=2−t2dt:
=∫2−t2⋅21+t21⋅2−t2dt=∫(2−t2)(1+t2)2dt.
- Split using 1=3(2−t2)+(1+t2):
(2−t2)(1+t2)2=32⋅(2−t2)(1+t2)(2−t2)+(1+t2)=32[1+t21+2−t21].
- Integrate each piece: ∫1+t2dt=tan−1t; ∫2−t2dt=221log2−t2+t (standard form ∫a2−x2dx=2a1loga−xa+x with a=2).
- So the integral is …
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